If you're driving Interstate 5 south of Portland and need a break to stretch your legs, add the Albany-Millersburg Talking Water Gardens to your itinerary.

It's not far off the freeway on the north side of town and can offer a delightful experience compared to the routine out on I-5. Actually, the garden is pleasant no matter how you approach it.

The garden is an engineered water treatment wetlands, designed as a last stop for treated wastewater to cool before it is released into the Willamette River. The City of Albany's website explains why and how the Talking Water Gardens was created. And no, it does not smell.

More importantly for someone driving by is why they should visit. The garden has the feel of a marsh, with an artificial waterfall to help circulate the water. Vegetation is planted around the ponds to mimic nature, but the shrubs, trees and grasses are what would grow naturally, not manicured to produce specific blooms or plants.

The city website says: "The project is an engineered wetlands facility designed to reduce water temperature, restore riparian forest and wetlands, promote wildlife habitat and create a living laboratory that brings wetland science to life. It creates a new natural attraction for Albany area visitors."

The garden is located on 50 acres that used to be occupied by mills. It has two miles of paths, plus parking and a restroom building. The project was completed in 2011.

The garden is at 577 Waverly Drive, Albany. Southbound the exit is for 99E toward downtown Albany, while northbound the exit is for U.S. 20, also toward downtown. After leaving the freeway and driving west a short way toward downtown, turn north on N.E. Geary Street, which gets you across the railroad tracks. Continue on Geary to Front Avenue, take a right and follow the road to its end as it swings north and becomes Waverly Drive. Signs point the way to the garden.